Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7: PAWN SHOP

He mistook the doorbell's chimes as a consequence of the brisk winds that picked up recently. After all, the weather was consistently ugly and cold as of late. Besides that, it had been terribly long since the shop welcomed any new customers. So the young man was pleasantly surprised by the sudden company. Of course, it wasn't until he saw your figure in his peripheral view that he realized that there was another presence in the room.

It was impossible to tell that it was you at first sight. Dressed in earthy hues of beige, tan and moss-green -- you nearly looked like every other commoner. Even your hair, which once looked like a murder scene to tidy, was untangled and pulled into two tight braids. The boy guessed all of it was Auntie Agatha's doing. "(Y/n) . . . I . . . I didn't know you were coming by."

"Yeah, it was a last minute decision, really. But, Mr. Seymour dropped me off on his way to a patient," you said, speeding through the words you rehearsed all morning. Reading the male's stupefied expression, you decided to slow your speech. "Is, uh, sir here by any chance?"

"You mean dad?" You nodded while the boy gulped. "He's out right now on a . . . work-related . . . thing." Both of you knew that was a lie. But you bit the bullet, regardless, and watched him remove his soot-covered gloves without intervening. "Is there something wrong? Anything I can help you with?"

"Oh no, no! There's nothing wrong. I just wanted to leave something with him. As a - sort of - 'thank you' gift for all that you folks have done for me."

Uzner stared while he struggled to understand your cryptics and toothy-grin. Eventually, you snapped out of your daze and untied two velvet pouches from your belt. You placed them on the countertop and watched the honey-skinned boy cautiously approach and retrieve one of them. Shifting its weight between his palms, the male pieced together what was inside. Yet, it took his own two loyal eyes to confirm his speculation.

"Wha-" He couldn't speak with his jaw so widely open. "What is this?"

"Money," you smirked almost devilishly.

"Yes, I . . . I can see that but - this is more money than I've seen my entire life! Who's is it?"

"Yours now-"

"But how did you get it? Did Uncle Theo give this to you?"

"No," you responded in a sing-songy tone, playfully drawing pictures on the ground with your feet. Like a toddler, your eyes roamed everywhere when you spoke. "I pawned off something valuable."

It sounded like a reasonable response. And it was just enough to tame the boy's racing heart. But it was merely for a moment. The very next second, skepticism surged over him. "Wait - dad didn't mention you had anything valuable on you. No offence-"

"None taken-"

"And he's already surrendered all the relics and other stuff from the stagecoach to the King so what did you use?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter."

"For the number of pounds we're talking about? Yes. Yes, it does. Now be frank - where did you get this money? What did you sell?"

As the Katolian closened on you, remorse began to prickle at your flesh. Yet, you felt that there was no need for you to be penalized. Especially not when your intentions were good at the heart of it all. "I said," your voice cracked from apprehension. You took a step back with every step he took forward. "It doesn't matter."

"What did you do to get this money?" Uzner growled furiously, shaking the bag of coins in your face.

You finally cracked. "T-The Queen!"